NWW Issue 9 Spring and Summer 2018

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NORTH WEST WORDS SPRING / SUMMER 2018 ISSUE 9 Someone told him that the best healers could see angels. I know the nuns think that angels have wings and halos and sit in clouds or on our shoulders. They believe it, God love’em. But it's not right. I tried to tell them they were wrong about the angels, but they just took to beating me. So, I gave up. People do have a sort of halo but there's no angels on their shoulders - there's just air. Maybe it's the angels breathing that I can see, but I call it good and bad air. People breathe it, surround themselves in it and smell of it. I always look around people and I find out how their air feels. That tells me all I need to know and sometimes the shapes in the shadows tell me things too. They don't use words nor nothing. It's hard for me to explain, and I know from the thumping Mammy did on me when I tried to make sense of it, that it is better now just to let it be and not think or talk on it too much. It's best, for a lass like me, not to talk much at all – about anything. 'I see air, Daddy,' I told the only person who listens. 'But now that Mammy has a baby in her, you won't need The Healing anymore. I'll just heal your air by saying my prayers. I don't need to go near you mickey again. I'll sing to the air around ya, and make you better.' 'I'm a bad man,' he muttered. 'I know Daddy....' I breathed on him and kissed his cheek. 'Heal me, Molly. Make me better inside.' He was pale then, even Mammy said it. For days he was white as the sheets she made me fold with her. I know sometimes Daddy's air still goes bad but I hold his arm and breathe into his pipe and turn him good again. Mammy's air is always tight though. I don't seem to be able to cure her from anything, or make her love me at all. The creatures in the shadows tell me to leave her be. I try not to care about her insides or the heart of her. I know babies bring beauty into the world. All the women say it outside Mass when they touch Mammy's belly for luck. The thoughts of the baby makes me happy inside too. The shadows have told me there's good things to come for me. They say that I, Molly McCarthy, will have better times.... maybe the baby will bring those good things with him? Sharon Thompson 40
NORTH WEST WORDS SPRING / SUMMER 2018 ISSUE 9 A Secret His stale breath. His hollow eyes. He tries to take me into his guise. His promises of love wrapped in warped charm, a damaged boy he intends to harm. A pious exterior of wit and grace, his sign of peace steeped in disgrace; shame on those who allowed him save face. Michael Photo: Bronze Statue Hiring Fair Boy, Market Square, Letterkenny Eamonn Bonner 41
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NWW Issue 9 Spring and Summer 2018

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